logjam
a crowded mass of logs blocking a river; a situation that seems irresolvable
petrol
gasoline
turpentine
fluid obtained by the distillation of resin obtained from live trees, especially pine trees
spire
tapering conical or pyramidal structure on the top of a building, typically a church tower; the continuation of a tree trunk above the point where branching begins, especially in a tree of a tapering form
stalwart
a loyal, reliable, and hardworking supporter or participant in an organization or team (noun); loyal, reliable, and hardworking (adjective)
cattywampus
not lined up or not arranged correctly
babydom
the world of babies; babies collectively
mimeograph
a duplicating machine that produces copies from a stencil
foyer
an entrance hall or other open area in a building used by the public, especially a hotel or theater, or in a house or apartment
raconteur
a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way
impatiens
an East African plant with abundant red, pink, or white flowers, often grown as a houseplant
impressionism
a style or movement in painting originating in France in the 1860s, characterized by a concern with depicting the visual impression of the moment, especially in terms of the shifting effect of light and color
elfin
small and delicate, typically with an attractively mischievous or strange charm
anthrax
a bacterial disease of sheep and cattle, typically affecting the skin and lungs, that can be transmitted to humans and can cause severe skin ulceration or a form of pneumonia
banal
so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring
dingy
gloomy and drab
unscrupulous
having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair
machination
a scheming or crafty action or artful design intended to accomplish some usually evil end
